Nearly 500 people gathered to connect, learn, and collaborate in order to advance health and economic development through Michigan food systems from farm to fork.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

East Lansing, Michigan – People from across diverse sectors gathered at the fourth biennial Michigan Good Food Summit on Friday, October 28 to celebrate state and local successes, engage with sector-specific breakout tracks, network with others from around Michigan and across the food system, and hear stories about successful Michigan collaborations. The theme of the 2016 Good Food Summit was “Good Food for All: The road to 2020.”

“It’s been exciting to watch the Good Food Summit grow over the years,” said Kathryn Colasanti, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems Specialist and Summit Chair. “We’re fortunate to have the opportunity to come together as a state every other year to learn from and connect with one another. And I think the fact that this year was our largest event yet is a reflection of how much the Good Food movement has grown – and continues to grow – in Michigan!”

Highlights of the 2016 program included:

Keynote address by Sen. Debbie Stabenow

Debut of short films documenting Good Food progress in Kalamazoo, the Upper Peninsula and Flint

More than 15 panel sessions, workshops, and lightning rounds, including:

“As we start talking about the next farm bill,” said Sen. Stabenow in her keynote address, “we need to recognize how national food policy conversations have evolved and look for innovative food solutions like corner store initiatives, kitchen incubators, and food business accelerators. And have new conversations about ways to reduce food waste and mitigate climate change.”

See quotes, photos, and video tweeted by Summit participants with #2016GoodFood.

The Michigan Good Food Summit is a keystone event in Michigan’s statewide work to advance the Michigan Good Food Charter. The Michigan Good Food Charter is a policy roadmap for building a Michigan food system that produces Good Food. In the terms of the Charter, "Good Food" is food that is healthy, green, fair, and affordable. Learn more about the Michigan Good Food Charter at michiganfood.org and like the Michigan Good Food Charter on Facebook and Twitter.

The Michigan Good Food Summit was hosted by MSU Center for Regional Food Systems at the MSU Kellogg Center.